The Ultimate Workday Playlist: 15 Songs to Motivate You

By Sammi Caramela, B2B Staff Writer March 27, 2018 09:55 am EST

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For many people, a day without music is like a morning without coffee – inefficient and joyless. Even if you're not a fellow music-addict, the right playlist often has the power to influence hard work and inspire innovation, just like caffeine offers that added kick of energy.

Music is a beautiful form of art. It can provide comfort and elicit various emotions within its listeners. And on those busy workdays, you can use your headphones to drown out distractions and boost your productivity.

1. "Lose Yourself" by Eminem

"This song gives me an extra rush of adrenaline to tackle my workday tasks and really gets me motivated to get the day off to a productive start. – Deborah Sweeney, CEO, MyCorporation.com

2. "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba

"Making mistakes and bad luck are part of learning. You can either let it get you down, or choose to get up again – nothing's gonna keep me down!" – Jonathan Denn, chief thinking officer of DrumbeatProductivity.com

3. "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes

"It's got a solid beat, is catchy as can be and helps me hone in on what I'm working on. I've noticed I'm drawn to those songs that could be used in a TV show or movie montage, they inspire a sense of action and urgency that keeps my fingers fast and my brain from hitting that productivity wall." – RaShea Drake, B2B analyst for Verizon Business

4. "45" by Ozomatli

"The beat, the lyrics and the energy are more effective than an alarm clock with 10 speakers. This upbeat, caffeinated track is more potent than Cuban coffee and more fun than a box of puppies. If you're not ready to dance, sing along, smile or seize the day, do not – I repeat – do not play it." – Chris Sloan, founder and chief creative officer of 2C Creative

5. "Maria Tambien" by Khruangbin

"The song is a global mix of rhythms and it almost feels like the perfect soundtrack to a dreamy montage in a movie. It gets me feeling energized, and I sometimes listen to it on repeat several times because I think it makes me work faster." – Kristin Hillery, editor of InVision Blog

6. "Roller Skates" by Nick Hakim

"It's just laid back enough to calm me, but upbeat enough to give me energy. It's loud enough to drown out noise around me but melodic enough to not be a distraction. The lyrics are meaningful but the synthesizer makes his words subtle enough to play in the background. And the music video is a work of art." – Alanna Diggs, co-founder of TheWimpact.com

7. "Harder Better Faster Stronger" by Daft Punk

"[This song] provides a nice metronome that gets you through your day. The message is driven into you over and over, which keeps me motivated and encourages me to stay focused." – David Blue, vice president and co-founder, Blue Moon Estate Sales

8. "If I Can't" by 50 Cent

"This song helps me stay on the grind and get things done. And if I can't do it, then it can't be done. When it comes to starting a business and being a rapper, there are a lot of parallels. If you don't stay on the grind, you'll never make it." – David Waring, co-founder, Fit Small Business

9. "The Nights" by Avicii

"I listen to this song every morning during my run. It's a motivational song and the lyrics really speak to me. It's all about being proud of what you accomplish in life. For me, it's an important reminder to always strive for the best, and happy with the life you lead." – Josh Cohen, CEO and founder, Junkluggers and Luggers Moving

10. "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson

"It's a song about self-reflection and seeing how a person fits into the community surrounding them. It reminds me that no matter what, it's important to remember where you came from." – Gus Shamieh, president and co-founder, CREAM

11. "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

"Who isn't motivated by 'Eye of the Tiger?' You can't beat the classics and it's the ultimate motivational song. Plus, I live in Philly and everyone knows this is one of Rocky's favorite songs." – Steve Vicario, COO, Cherry Blow Dry Bar

12. "Primal Scream" by Motley Crue

"In the song, there is a lyric that states: 'If you want to live life on your own terms/you gotta be willing to crash and burn,' followed by a killer drum pounding. This reminds me every day that you take the chances necessary to push through obstacles and get over yourself." – Mel O, CFP, Hot Moon Financial

13. "Local" by Tycho

"I like listening to Tycho because it's calming without decreasing your alertness, interesting enough to keep your attention without diverting your focus from work, and since it's without lyrics, it's much easier to focus on whatever task I have in front of me. The albums Dive, Epoch and Awake by Tycho make for a perfect work mix." – John Turner, CEO and founder, QuietKit

14. "Eyes on Fire" by Blue Foundation

"The song is calm enough to listen to at the office but still has a cool, melodic beat that keeps the workday going." – Brian Kelly, co-owner and event coordinator, Ticket2Events

15. "In All the Wrong Places" by Kero One

"It keeps me inspired to keep walking this entrepreneurial journey and measure success through my spiritual and family life." – Mike Koehler, president and chief strategist, Smirk New Media

Additional reporting by Shannon Gausepohl. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

Sammi Caramela

Sammi Caramela has always loved words. When she isn't working as a Purch B2B staff writer, she's writing (and furiously editing) her first novel, reading a YA book with a third cup of coffee, or attending local pop-punk concerts. The only time Sammi doesn't play it safe is when she's writing. Reach her by email, or check out her blog at sammisays.org.